Best Tours in Amsterdam
Enjoy self-guided audio tours with included attraction tickets in one appTop sights in Amsterdam
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Peel back intricate layers of Amsterdam's colorful history with our ground-breaking, "Amsterdam AI self-guided walking tour: Journey Through Time and Tides," where modern technology meets rich history through the power of Artificial Intelligence. Begin your exploration with the majestic Royal Palace, an emblem of the Dutch Golden Age. This grand journey, guided by our intelligent AI, navigates you through the beating heart of the city, where you can savor authentic Dutch cuisine, narrated in enriching detail for an immersive taste of local culture. A pause at the poignant Anne Frank House takes you a step into the enigmatic chapters of WWII history, narrated in clear and captivating language by our AI companion. Accompanying you through the city's architectural marvels, the AI highlights the seamless blend of tradition and modernity unique to Amsterdam. Delve into the city's transformation, entirely narrated by AI, from a modest settlement to a pulsating, UNESCO World Heritage City. Your immersive journey concludes at the impressive Rijksmuseum, where you'll time travel through Dutch art and history along with our AI guide. Explore Amsterdam's past and venture towards its promising future! This captivating journey, brought alive by AI, promises an unforgettable exploration of Amsterdam as you've never experienced before. Walkthrough Amsterdam, step by unforgettable step, with the future of touring technology.
Every city has its own legends and secrets. During this tour, you will get to know Amsterdam from another mysterious side: you will listen to the stories about betrayals, secrets, fires, and murders. Have you ever heard "Lie for Pampus" or "Fighting against the beer guy" sayings? Well, now you will learn about their origin. Furthermore, you'll get a unique chance to discover the history of two paintings by world-famous Rembrandt: "The anatomy lesson" and "Elsje Christiaens." You will also visit the magnificent secret church — Our dear Lord in the attic. Hidden in the usual house, this church was built by Catholics centuries ago and survived till nowadays. This is definitely not the last secret of Amsterdam you'll discover — wandering around breathtaking canals of the city; you will listen to the city legends about them (do you know that summers used to be one of the hardest times for citizens because of the terrible smells from the canals?). Near the canals, you will learn the stories of several historical spots: Sjakoo's fort named after the local Robin Hood who was arrested, the amazing theatre of Amsterdam, which no longer exists, and the Rasphuis — a prison where criminals were re-educated and forced to work. Also, you will gaze at the mysterious house with the bloodstains left by a wealthy man who lost his mind and covered the stones with his blood, drawing strange religious symbols. Are you ready to discover dark legendary Amsterdam? Let's go!
Turn your phone into your personal interactive tour guide and enjoy the sights of central Amsterdam on a 3-hour bike tour with an audio guide. You’ll see important historical sites as well as some of the city’s hotspots. The tour will give you tips on where to rent a cheap bike. In addition, you'll be cycling along the famous Amsterdam canals, your audio guide will show you the New Market, the Old Church, the Red Light District, the Royal Palace, the Western Church, the Jordaan district, the 18th century Dutch East Indian Company ship and you'll have a chance to enjoy the beautiful views over the IJ River and the canals. Enjoy a pleasant break in the Vondelpark. You’ll see some of the city center’s beautiful but less well-known spots as well. You can stop at any place you want, your mobile guide app will tell you about the history of the sites that you’re visiting and also about Amsterdam culture.
⚠️ Please pay attention that this tour is without tickets ⚠️ Treat yourself to an unforgettable artistic experience and explore one of the world's most famous museums with this private in-app audio tour. The Rijksmuseum's collection features some of the nation's most famous works. Learn more about art history and admire internationally renowned masterpieces by Vermeer, Frans Hals, Rembrandt, and other notable artists. On this tour, you will have a chance to explore the outstanding works of the Dutch Golden Age masters. Discover how these artists determined the history of Dutch art and learn how it has evolved since then. Dive into the history of Dutch art while listening to the stories about the most exceptional masters and their techniques. We will focus on The Tree of Jesse, Worship of the Golden Calf, The Milkmaid, The Night Watch, The Battle of Waterloo, and many other masterpieces. Enjoy every detail and get inspired by the mastery of the greatest Dutch artists!
Hunt for bargains in late-19th-century Holland, with a visit to one of the most unique cultural attractions in the Netherlands. Located at the world's first-ever and last-remaining sail-through auction house, Museum BroekerVeiling gives you a history lesson by putting you directly in it. Join a real auction and bid on fresh local vegetables in the refurbished period-style auction house, take a boat ride through the stunning Realm of a Thousand Islands, explore the petting zoo, and more.
Foam is the museum for photography lovers, whether you are looking to discover contemporary, emerging talents or admire the work of iconic photographers from the previous century. The diversity of exhibitions on display invites visitors to explore the world of photography, ranging from historical vintage prints to contemporary fashion photography. Foam is located in a manor house along the beautiful canals, where the first museum for modern art of Amsterdam was opened in 1863. Hidden behind its historic façade you find a contemporary museum.
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About Amsterdam
The best walking tours to do in Amsterdam are:
The best tours in Amsterdam are:
The best indoor tours in Amsterdam for rainy days are:
The must-see attractions in Amsterdam for a first visit are:
Insider tips for visiting Amsterdam
Rolf Laimbock is a local guide who has been publishing tours since 2020 for your discovery of hidden gems and local specialities of Amsterdam on their personal guide page (view profile). Explore their expert tips planning trip to Amsterdam.
When I visit Amsterdam for shopping, I usually skip the obvious chains and head for De 9 Straatjes first. Between the canals, I browse independent fashion, vintage, and design stores tucked into old merchant houses. For sharper local style, I recommend the Haarlemmerstraat and Haarlemmerdijk area in Amsterdam; locals know it for small concept shops, excellent delis, and bookstores. If you visit Amsterdam and like contemporary labels with a more polished feel, Oud-Zuid around Beethovenstraat is a smart choice. In my travel guide Amsterdam, these are the areas I mention most because they combine browsing with some of the best things to do in Amsterdam: walking, people-watching, and café stops.
When I’m in Amsterdam on my own, I always start with a slow walk through the Jordaan early in the morning, before the cafés fill and the canals turn busy. For solo visitors, it’s one of the most rewarding things to do in Amsterdam because you can move at your own pace, browse small galleries, and sit unnoticed with coffee on the Noordermarkt. I often continue to the Begijnhof or the canal belt, which belong high on any list of what to see in Amsterdam. Unlike many tours in Amsterdam, this feels personal. These quieter corners are also among the most memorable attractions in Amsterdam for people traveling alone.
In my travel guide Amsterdam, I usually recommend three full days in Amsterdam as the sweet spot. That gives you time to settle into the rhythm of the city: an unhurried canal walk at dusk, a museum morning, and a neighborhood like De Pijp or the Jordaan where Amsterdam feels lived-in rather than staged. When I visit Amsterdam myself, I find two days can work if you stay central and choose carefully, but four lets you add ferries to Noord or a slow afternoon in the Plantage. For me, the best things to do in Amsterdam reveal themselves when you leave space between plans.
When I want a break from the center of Amsterdam, I head just beyond it to places that still feel connected to the city’s history. The ferry to NDSM is one of my favorite short escapes; in Amsterdam, it gives you a rawer, creative side with street art and old shipyard buildings. I also recommend taking the train to Haarlem for an afternoon, especially for quiet hofjes and excellent small museums. If you’re comparing attractions in Amsterdam with what to see in Amsterdam nearby, these are the places I mention first. Unlike many tours in Amsterdam, they let you feel how the city opens outward into very different neighborhoods and towns.
If you plan to visit Amsterdam around a major event, I’d time it for King’s Day in April or the Grachtenfestival in summer. King’s Day shows Amsterdam at its most exuberant, but I prefer the smaller pockets: families selling old treasures on the streets of the Jordaan and canal-side music drifting through quieter blocks. In my travel guide Amsterdam, I also highlight Open Monumentendag in September, when historic buildings in Amsterdam open doors usually closed to the public. For me, these are among the most memorable things to do in Amsterdam because they reveal the city’s character, not just its postcard image.
When families ask me where to go in Amsterdam, I often suggest the maritime area around Het Scheepvaartmuseum. For me, it’s one of the smartest things to do in Amsterdam with children because the old harbor setting already feels like an adventure, and the full-scale VOC ship draws them in immediately. From there, I like walking toward the Oosterdok, where Amsterdam opens up with wide views and room to move, which parents appreciate. Among the classic attractions in Amsterdam, this area feels less cramped than the canal core. It also works well if you’re deciding what to see in Amsterdam without relying on standard tours in Amsterdam.
In my travel guide Amsterdam, I always say the city makes most sense on foot, with trams for longer stretches. When I visit Amsterdam, I walk the canal belt and Jordaan because distances are shorter than they look, and you notice the details that make Amsterdam special: crooked gables, hidden courtyards, flower boxes leaning over bridges. For neighborhoods like Amsterdam Noord or the eastern docks, I use the free ferry or tram rather than a bike; locals know cycling here can feel hectic if you do not know the rhythm. For me, combining walking with public transport is one of the most practical things to do in Amsterdam.